Print

Traditional soft and sweet Hot Cross Buns flavored with warm spices and studded with dried fruit, topped with a signature flour paste cross and optionally glazed with sugar syrup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup warm milk (not too hot)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup raisins or currants
  • For the cross paste: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • About 5 tablespoons water
  • For the optional glaze: 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg until spices are evenly distributed.
  2. Add 3/4 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup melted and cooled unsalted butter, and 1 large egg to the dry ingredients. Stir to form a soft dough, then fold in 3/4 cup raisins or currants evenly. Dough will be slightly sticky.
  3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, soft, and stretchy.
  4. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  5. Punch down the risen dough, cut into evenly sized pieces, and roll each into a smooth ball. Place on parchment-lined baking tray, leaving space between buns.
  6. Cover tray with a towel and let buns rise for another 30 to 40 minutes until puffed.
  7. Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour with about 5 tablespoons water to form a smooth, pipeable paste.
  8. Transfer paste to a piping bag or plastic bag with a small cut corner; pipe a cross onto each bun.
  9. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Bake buns for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
  10. If desired, heat 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons water until sugar dissolves; brush glaze over warm buns for shine and sweetness.

Notes

Raisins can be substituted with chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped dates, apricots, dried cherries, or blueberries for different flavors., Use instant yeast for faster preparation; if using active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm milk before mixing., Knead dough thoroughly until soft and springy to ensure fluffy buns., Weigh or carefully portion dough for uniform bun sizes and even baking., Buns can be frozen for up to 2 months, thawed at room temperature and warmed before serving., Make dough ahead and do the first rise overnight in the fridge for fresh buns next day., Add chopped nuts, candied peel, orange zest, or vanilla extract for variation., Serve buns warm with butter, cream cheese, jam, honey, or alongside beverages like coffee, tea, or milkshakes.

Nutrition